The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-11-03
EXECUTIVE DEPT, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR,
COLUMBUS, o., Apr'l 6, 1885.


The financial condition of the State needs
attention. 1t is estimated by the State Audi
tor that the expenditures of the State up to
the first day of next July will amount to
about $500 900, and that from that date until
the first day of next January they will amount
to about 81 800, ,O0O making total expendi-
ture of $2,300,00O, to be provided for out of
the general revenue fund.
To meet this we had on the first day OF
April a cash balance in the treasury of only
about 100000, and it is estimated by the
State Auditor that our total revenues from the
taxes to be collected in June and all other
sources will amount to only about 81 100000;
or, in round numbers, the casual deficiency of
the State will aggregate about 81 100000 on
December 81, 1886.
The Constitution provides that the State
may borrow money for the purpose of meet
ing such deficiencies, but that such indebted
ness shall never exceed $750,O00
1t has become necessary not only to use but
to exhaust this power, and bill has accord
ingly been introduced authorizing the Com
missioners of the Sinking Fund to issue and
sell certificates of Indebtedness of the State in
that amount. The necessity for this step is so
apparent, it is hoped the bill will be promptly
passed. With even this help it will be neces-
sary to anticipate the revenues of next year
to the amount of $250,0OO Hence, notwith-
standing this loan, there is imperative neces-
sty for the strictest economy.
But you are invited to look further to
something more important.
Our State is rapidly growing in both wealth
and population the demands upon our
treasury are correspondlngly increasing. For
the next ten years this will probably continue
more rapidly than heretofore, owing to the
fact that emigration to the Western States is
decreasing in proportion as that country fills
up and its lands enhance in value.
But while this demand has been increasing
our sources of revenue have been diminishing.
In 1883 the value for taxation of Personal
Property of the State, as shown by the grand
duplicate, was $542y y207, l2l in 1884 it shrank
to S52s, ,29S ,S7l, and for 1885 dwindled again
to 500, 9,9l3, 1885, This loss has been made up
largely by the steady growth in the valuation
of real estate on account OF new structures,
etc., but the loss was greater than the increase
last year, and the result is shown in the fact,
that the grand aggregate of all the property
in the State, both real und personal, amount
ed in 1885 to but 81 $40 079, ,S68 against 81 ,673
774O81 for 1884, or a loss of So 694, ,2l3.
This indicates that our wants and our ability
to meet them are travelling in opposite direc-
tions, and that unless the tax rate or the
valuation of property is increased, the
casual deficiencies will continue and grow
larger without power to provide for them,
because of the extreme limitations allowed
by the Constitution having been reached
under the bill above referred to, providing
for the issue and sale of the bonds of the State
to the amount of $750,00O to meet the emer-
gency now upon US.
The rate of taxation should not be increased;
at least not until other measures that seem
more Just have been tried. The last election
indicated a desire of the people to
TAX THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
tits hoped this Legislature will not adjourn
until an efficient measure to that effect has
been enacted. Although such a tax can be
levied only for the purpose of police regula-
ton, yet it does not follow that the revenue,
when collected, must necessarily be devoted
to any particular purpose. On the contrary,
it is entirely competent to do with it as the
Legislature may see fit; and it is thought to
be only equitable and just that at least 25
per cent. of the revenue SO deriyed should go
to the general revenue fund of the State.
From this source the State would, in such
event, realize probably $500,OOO, to the great
relief of all present classes of Taxpayers.
FOREIGN CORPORATIONS.
Foreign insurance, telegraph and express
companies doing business in this State are
now taxed upon their gross receipts.
There is no reason why foreign telephone
transportation, car trust, car equipment and
sleeping and parlor Car companies should not
be similarly taxed. If the policy be right in
the one class of cases it should be equally SC
in the others, and equity and justice to the
State and to the other companies that are sc
taxed require an amendment of the laws tc
that effect.
The most important matter to which it il
desired to call your attention yet remains tt
be stated.
OUR TAX LAWS,
are in the main, perhaps, as wise as they car
be made under our present constitution. /
it were not for its positive I'M junction much
might be said in favor of exempting from
taxation the bonds of our State and muni
cipal governments, to the end that we nigh
not tax our credit and drive our securities
away, but keep them at home and pay tn,
interest upon them to our own people. Blu
that is impracticable and unnecessary to b,
discussed.
8 The requirement of the constitution is tina
all bonds, stocks, investments, etc, as well al
real property shall be taxed at their full
value in money. Our laws have been framed
with a view to securing this result, but i
is manifest to all acquainted with our resour
ces that they have lamentably failed; for al
such know that instead of grand duplicat
of 81, $40 079,8 1858 we ought to have one of a
least 5000 millions, and 1000 millions woult
more nearly represent the real taxable wealth
of the State. To ascertain why, and how
there has been this failure to value propert,
as the law requires,
THE STATE AUDITOR,
as a result of a conference on the subject
framed and sent out to the county auditor
of the State certain printed questions to b
answered, calling for information as to tn
per cent at which property, both real ant
personal, is appraised in their respective